Quick disconnect fluid coupling

ABSTRACT

A quick disconnect coupling having a socket and a plug. In one embodiment, the plug has an outwardly projecting ring at its end that is captured behind a plurality of pins or an inwardly stepped shoulder formed in the socket in order to prevent the plug from being withdrawn from the socket. The plug is releasably retained in the socket by a variety of means, including a resilient ring surrounding the plug that tightly fits into a stepped shoulder formed in the socket or circumferentially spaced ball bearings mounted on either the plug or the socket and biased into a groove formed on the socket or plug, respectively. In another embodiment of the invention, the plug is formed by a cylindrical sleeve on which retaining fingers are pivotally mounted. The retaining fingers each terminate in a respective retaining tab that is captured behind an inwardly stepped shoulder formed in the socket. The retaining fingers releasably retain the plug in the socket so that it may be removed by pulling it axially from the socket. An actuating member surrounds the sleeve adjacent the retaining tabs. In the event of pivotal movement of the sleeve, the actuating member contacts the inside surface of at least one retaining tab to prevent the retaining tab from being released from the socket.

DESCRIPTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to hydraulic and pneumatic connectors and, moreparticularly, to such connectors that can be quickly and easilyconnected and disconnected by applying axial forces between a plug andsocket.

2. Background Art

Connectors are commonly used to join tubular conduits containing liquidor gaseous fluids. These connectors typically consist of a plug which isinserted into a socket. The plug can mate with the socket using avariety of structures. For example, the plug can be threaded into thesocket. However, it is often desirable to be able to quickly and easilydisconnect the plug from the socket. As a result, hydraulic andpneumatic connectors have been developed in which a plug can bedisconnected from a socket by actuating a lever that releases a couplingmechanism securing the plug to the socket. Connectors have also beendeveloped that resiliently secure the plug within the socket. In thistype of connector, the plug is inserted into the socket by merelyapplying an axial force to the plug relative to the socket. Similarly,the plug is removed from the socket by merely applying an axial force tothe plug away from the socket. This connector is commonly used as aquick release breathing air connector for military aircraft known as theCRU-60/P connector (ref: MIL-C-38271A, USAF). While the CRU-60/Pconnector adequately serves the function of allowing a breathing airhose to be quickly and easily disconnected, it often allows the hose tobe inadvertently disconnected. More specifically, the CRU-60/P connectorutilizes a resilient ring surrounding the plug that is tightlysurrounded by a shoulder in the socket when the plug is inserted intothe socket. The end of the plug then abuts a gasket at the end of therecess in which the plug is inserted. Transverse forces applied to theplug, often inadvertently, cause the plug to pivot about the resilientring, thereby moving the end of the plug axially and forcing the plugfrom the socket. As a result, the CRU-60/P, and other connectors ofsimilar structure, are susceptible to being inadvertently disconnected.

Inadvertent disconnection of hydraulic and pneumatic connectors canproduce extremely grave results. For example, a pilot of a high-speedmilitary aircraft who inadvertently disconnects a breathing air hose canunknowingly black out while climbing to high altitudes. Yet there aretimes when a pilot must be able to quickly and easily disconnect thebreathing air connector. The need to quickly disconnect the connector,often while wearing gloves, makes manipulation of a disconnecting leveror other mechanism impractical.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is the primary object of the invention to provide a quick disconnectfluid coupling that can be connected and disconnected solely by axialforces yet cannot be disconnected by transverse forces.

It is another object of the invention to provide a quick disconnectcoupling of the character described that is relatively simple,inexpensive and light in weight.

These and other objects of the invention are provided by a quickdisconnect fluid coupling having a plug fitting into a socket. Thesocket includes a cylindrical recess having an opening at its distalend. A plug fits into the proximal end of the recess and has a fluidopening at its end connecting with the fluid opening of the socket. Areleasable retaining means secures the plug within the socket. Theretaining means is engaged and disengaged by applying axial forcesbetween the plug and socket. The retaining means not only releasablysecures the plug within the socket, but it also allows the plug to pivotin the socket. A locking means is axially spaced from the retainingmeans, and is engaged to prevent axial movement between the plug andsocket responsive to pivotal movement of the plug within the socket. Inone embodiment, the locking means comprises an outwardly projectingcircumferential ring mounted on the plug at a location axially spacedfrom the retaining means. A locking member is then mounted in the recessof the socket. The locking member projects into the recess and has aminimum inside diameter that is slightly larger than the outsidediameter of the ring. As a result, the ring can clear the locking memberwhen the plug is pulled axially out of the socket. However, when theplug pivots responsive to transverse loads, the ring is captured behindthe locking member, thereby preventing the plug from being removed fromthe socket. The locking member may assume a variety of forms including aplurality of circumferentially spaced pins projecting into the recess oran inwardly stepped shoulder formed in the socket around the recess.Similarly, the retaining means may assume a variety of forms, includinga resilient circumferential ring surrounding the plug which is tightlysurrounded by an inwardly projecting shoulder formed in the recess ofthe socket. The retaining means may also be implemented by a pluralityof ball bearings mounted on the plug or socket around the recess andresiliently biased into an annular groove formed on either the socket orplug, respectively. Another embodiment of the invention includes asocket having a generally cylindrical recess with a fluid opening formedat its distal end. An inwardly stepped shoulder is formed in the socketaround the recess. A plug fits into the proximal end of the recess. Theplug includes a sleeve having a fluid opening at its distal end and aplurality of resilient retaining fingers coaxially surrounding thesleeve. The retaining fingers extend axially along the sleeve andterminate in respective outwardly projecting retaining tabs which arecaptured behind the step shoulder of the socket when the plug isinserted into the recess. The retaining tabs are pivotally mounted onthe sleeve, and an actuating member projects outwardly from the sleevetoward the retaining fingers at a location axially spaced from thelocation where the retaining fingers are pivotally mounted on thesleeve. The actuating member contacts at least one of the fingers whenthe sleeve is pivoted within the retaining fingers to force theretaining fingers outwardly so that the respective retaining tabs areheld behind the stepped shoulder, thereby preventing the plug from beingwithdrawn from the socket. When the plug is aligned with the socket, theactuating members are spaced a sufficient distance from the retainingfingers that the retaining fingers can bend inwardy to allow the plug tobe pulled axially from the socket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art fluid coupling.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the inventionfluid coupling.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the inventivefluid coupling utilizing a stepped shoulder instead of the retainingpins of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the inventivefluid coupling utilizing ball bearings resiliently biased into anannular groove as retaining means instead of the resilient ring and stepshoulder of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the inventivefluid coupling utilizing ball bearings resiliently biased into anannular groove formed on the plug rather than on the socket as in theembodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the inventivefluid coupling utilizing dual locking means instead of the singlelocking means utilized in the embodiments of FIGS. 2-5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the inventivefluid coupling in which the portion of the socket that mates with theplug is mounted in a ball and socket to facilitate pivotal movement ofthe plug with respect to the socket.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the inventivefluid coupling which the portion of the socket mating with the plug isalso mounted in a ball and socket joint to facilitate pivotal movementof the plug with respect to the socket.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of still another embodiment of theinventive fluid coupling in which the plug utilizes a plurality ofresilient retaining fingers pivotally secured to a sleeve on whichactuating members are mounted to lock the retaining fingers to thesocket responsive to pivotal movement of the sleeve.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of theinventive,, fluid coupling also utilizing a plurality of resilientretaining fingers pivotally mounted on a sleeve.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the inventivefluid coupling utilizing two sets of resilient retaining fingerspivotally mounted on a sleeve including respective actuating means tolock the retaining fingers to the socket responsive to pivotal movementof the sleeve.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A commonly used quick release breathing air coupling, known as theCRU-60/P, is illustrated in FIG. 1. The coupling 10 has a socket 12 inwhich a generally cylindrical recess 14 is formed. The distal end of thesocket 12 has formed therein a central fluid passage 16 through whichair, or any other gaseous or liquid fluid, can pass. The distal end ofthe recess 14 is lined with a resilient gasket 18 to provide a seal asexplained in greater detail below.

The prior art CRU-60/P coupling also includes a plug 30 also having acentral fluid passage 32. The plug 30 is inserted into the proximal endof the recess 14 until its distal end contacts the gasket 18. The gasket18 thus provides a seal to prevent fluid flowing through the passages16, 32 from escaping. A resilient retaining ring 34 extends around thecircumference of the plug 30 adjacent in inwardly stepped shoulder 36formed in the recess 14 of the socket 12 when the plug 30 is fullyinserted into the socket 12. The outside diameter of the retaining ring34 is slightly larger than the inside diameter of the shoulder 36 sothat the shoulder 36 slightly compresses the retaining ring 34. Also, asillustrated in FIG. 1, the outer surface 38 of the ring 34 is inclinedinwardly away from the distal end of the recess 14. As a result, theoutward force exerted by the ring 34 as it is compressed imparts ininward axial force to the plug 30 that maintains its distal end incontact with the gasket 18.

In use, the plug of the CRU-60/P coupling is inserted into the recess 14by applying sufficient axial force to the plug 30 to compress the widerportion of the ring 34 to place it behind the shoulder 36. When the plug30 is to be removed from the socket 12, it is pulled out of the recess14 by applying in outward axial force to the plug 30.

Although the CRU-60/P coupling has the advantages of being quick andeasy to connect and disconnect and is light in weight and relativelysimple, its principal limitation is its tendency to become inadvertentlydisconnected. In the event that a transverse or side load is exerted onthe proximal end of the plug 30 or to a hose connected to the plug 30,the plug tends to pivot about the interconnection between the ring 34and the shoulder 36. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a transverseforce "F" causes the plug 30 to pivot about 40, thereby causing thedistal end of the plug 30 to apply an axial force to the gasket 18 atsurface 42. This axial force applied to the gasket 18 at 42 then causesthe plug 30 to move axially out of the recess 14, thereby disconnectingthe plug 30 from the socket 12. Inadvertent disconnections of thisnature can have extremely serious consequences since, for example, thecoupling may be supplying the pilot of a high-speed fighter aircraftwith the only source of air.

One embodiment of an inventive coupling for allowing a plug to be easilyand simply removed from the socket by an axial force yet preventing theplug from being removed from the socket by a transverse force isillustrated in FIG. 2. The embodiment of FIG. 2 utilizes a plug 30 thatis virtually identical to the plug 30 in the conventional CRU-60/Pconnector illustrated in FIG. 1 and is thus given the same referencenumerals where applicable. Similarly, the socket 52 is very similar tothe socket 12 utilized in the CRU-60/P coupling illustrated in FIG. 1and is thus also given identical reference numerals where applicable.The plug 50 in the embodiment of FIG. 2 has an outwardly projectingretaining ring 54 formed at its end. The socket 52 has mounted in itsrecess 14 a plurality of circumferentially spaced retaining pins 56.

The outside diameter of the ring 54 is smaller than the spacing betweenthe pins 56 so that the ring 54 can clear the pins 56 when the plug 50is pulled axially from the recess 14. However, in the event that theplug 50 pivots about point 40 responsive to force "F," the ring 54 movesto the left, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Under these circumstances, thering 54 is captured behind the leftmost pin 56, thereby preventing theplug 50 from being withdrawn from the recess 14. In this manner, thering 54 and pins 56 form a locking means that prevents removal of theplug 50 unless the plug 50 is aligned with the axis of the socket 52.Yet the plug 50 can be removed from the socket 52 by applying an outwardaxial force to the plug 50 in the same manner, and just as easily, asthe plug 30 of the prior art CRU-60/P coupling can be removed from itssocket 12. Although the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 utilizes foursuch retaining pins 56 spaced 90° apart from each other, it will beunderstood that as few as three such pins 56 or a number greater thanfour may be used.

An alternative embodiment of the inventive coupling is illustrated inFIG. 3. As in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the embodiment of FIG. 3utilizes a socket 60 having a generally cylindrical recess 62, a fluidpassage 16 and a gasket 18 covering the distal end of the recess 62. Theembodiment of FIG. 3 also utilizes a plug 64 having a fluid passage 32and a resilient retaining ring 34 fitting into an inwardly steppedshoulder 36 formed in the recess 62. However, the embodiment of FIG. 3utilizes a second inwardly stepped recess 66 extending around the recess62 at its distal end instead of the retaining pins 56 illustrated inFIG. 2. Also, the plug 64 utilizes a retaining ring 68 that has a slopedsurface 70 matching the sloped surface 72 of the shoulder 66. Theoutside diameter of the ring 68 is smaller than the inside diameter ofthe shoulder 66 so that the plug 64 may be removed from the socket 60 byapplying an axial force to the plug 64. However, in the event that theplug 64 pivots about the interconnection between a retaining ring 34 andthe shoulder 36, the sloped surface 70 of the retaining ring 68 contactsthe sloped surface 72 of the shoulder 66 to prevent the plug 64 frombeing withdrawn from the socket 60.

Another embodiment of the inventive fluid coupling is illustrated inFIG. 4. Like the embodiment of FIG. 3, the embodiment of FIG. 4 utilizesa plug 70 having an outwardly extending locking ring 72 that is capturedbehind an inwardly extending stepped shoulder 74 responsive to pivotalmovement of the plug 70. However, instead of utilizing the resilientretaining ring 34 and stepped shoulder 36, as in the embodiments ofFIGS. 2 and 3, the embodiment of FIG. 4 utilizes a ball bearingretaining means. Specifically, a plurality of ball bearings 76 aremounted around the circumference of the plug 70 by conventional means(not shown) and outwardly biased by respective springs 78. Two of theball bearings 76 positioned on opposite sides of the plug 70 fit into afirst annular groove 80 formed in the socket about a generallycylindrical recess 82. A second set of ball bearings, offset by 90° fromthe ball bearings 78, are received by a second annular groove 84 formedin the recess 82 at a location axially spaced from the first groove 80.

When the plug is inserted into the socket, the ball bearings 76 areresiliently biased into their respective grooves 80, 84, thereby holdingthe distal end of the plugs 70 against the gasket 18. The plug 70 can beremoved from the socket by pulling the plug 70 outwardly in an axialdirection since the outside diameter of the locking ring 72 is smallerthan the inside diameter of the stepped shoulder 74. However, if atransverse force is applied to the plug 70, the two rows of ballbearings, being axially spaced from each other, tend to prevent the plug70 from pivoting. In the event that the transverse force 70 issufficient to allow the plug 70 to pivot, the locking rings 72 movestransversely so that it is captured behind the stepped shoulder 74,thereby preventing the plug 70 from being withdrawn from the socket.Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 utilizes four circumferentiallyspaced ball bearings, it will be understood that a greater number ofball bearings may be used. Also, although the ball bearings are arrangedin two axially spaced rows in the embodiment of FIG. 4, it will beunderstood that three or more circumferentially spaced ball bearings maybe placed in a single annular groove.

With reference now to FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of the fluidcoupling utilizes a retaining mechanism that is essentially the reverseof the retaining mechanism utilized in FIG. 4. Thus, instead of mountingball bearings 76 on the plug 70, the embodiment of FIG. 5 utilizes ballbearings 90 mounted on the socket 92 circumferentially spaced around therecess 82 in two axially spaced rows. The ball bearings are biasedinwardly by respective springs 94. The ball bearings 90 are received inrespective, axially spaced circumferential grooves 96, 98 formed in theplug 100. The embodiment of FIG. 5 operates in essentially the samemanner as the embodiment of FIG. 4. Also, the embodiment of FIG. 5 mayutilize more than four ball bearings 90, and it may utilize a single rowof three or more ball bearings 90 that are received in a single annulargroove.

Another embodiment of the inventive coupling mechanism utilizing twolocking means is illustrated in FIG. 6. The embodiment of FIG. 6 isstructurally similar to the embodiment of FIG. 3 in that it includes asocket 110 having a stepped shoulder 112 with an inclined surface 114matching an inclined surface 118 formed on a locking ring 120 at the endof a plug 122. Also, as in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the embodiment ofFIG. 6 utilizes a resilient retaining ring 34 fitting into an inwardlyextending shoulder 36 surrounding a recess 126. However, the embodimentof FIG. 6 also includes a second locking ring 130 axially spaced fromthe retaining ring 34 in the opposite direction from the first retainingring 120. The retaining ring 130 also has an inclined surface 132 thatmatches an inclined surface 134 on an inwardly extending steppedshoulder 138 formed by a cylindrical groove 140 in the socket 110 aroundthe recess 126. In the event of pivotal movement of the plug 122 aboutthe interconnection between the retaining ring 34 and shoulder 36, thefirst locking ring 120 moves transversely in one direction while thesecond locking ring 130 moves transversely in the opposite direction. Asa result, the locking rings 120, 130 are captured behind the steppedshoulders 112, 138, respectively, to prevent the plug 122 from beingwithdrawn from the socket 110.

The embodiments of 2-6 generally provide some resistance to pivotalmovement of their respective plugs. In fact, in the embodiments of FIGS.4 and 5, the use of axially spaced rows of ball bearings and matchinggrooves provide significant resistance to pivotal movement of therespective plugs. The embodiment of FIG. 7 departs from this concept byfacilitating the pivotal movement of the plug within the socket andrelies solely upon the locking means to prevent inadvertentdisconnection of the plug from the socket. The embodiment of FIG. 7,like many of the previous embodiments, utilizes a plug 150 having acentral fluid passage 152 and a resilient, circumferential retainingring 154. The embodiment of FIG. 7 also utilizes an outwardly projectingcircumferential locking ring 156, but it is located near the proximalend of the recess 158 formed in the socket 160 rather than near thedistal end of the recess 158. The socket 160 has formed therein apartial spherical recess 162 in which a partial ball member 164 isslidably received. The ball member 164 has formed therein an inwardlyprojecting circumferential step 166 that tightly contacts the retainingring 154 extending around the plug 150. The ball member 164 is free topivot within the socket 160 responsive to transverse forces applied tothe plug 150. However, pivotal movement of the plug 150 and ball member164 causes the locking ring 156 to move transversely into a cylindricalgroove 168 formed in the socket 160. Under these circumstances, thelocking ring 156 is captured by an inwardly extending circumferentialstep 170 formed by the groove 168 to prevent the plug 150 from beingremoved from the socket 160.

An alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 8, is somewhat similar tothe embodiment of FIG. 7 since it also utilizes a slidably mounted ballmember for facilitating pivotal movement of the plug. The plug 180 alsohas an axial fluid passage 182, a resilient, circumferential retainingring 184 and an outwardly projecting, circumferential locking ring 186positioned away from the distal end of the plug 180. However, in theembodiment of FIG. 8, the locking ring 186 is positioned outside of thesocket 188 when the plug 180 is aligned with the axis of the socket 188.The socket 188 has formed therein a partial-spherical recess 190 thatreceives a ball member 192. The ball member 192 includes a gasket 194and has formed therein an inwardly stepped shoulder 196 that tightlysurrounds the resilient retaining ring 184.

The ball member 192 is free to pivot in the socket 188 responsive totransverse forces applied to the plug 180. However, pivotal movement ofthe plug 180 causes one end of the locking ring 186 to pivot into thesemispherical recess 190, thereby preventing the plug 180 from beingremoved from the socket 188.

Another embodiment of the inventive fluid coupling that differs somewhatfrom the embodiment of FIGS. 2-8 is illustrated in FIG. 9. Theembodiment in FIG. 9 utilizes a socket 200 having an axial fluid passage202 and a relatively shallow recess 204 containing a gasket 206 at itsdistal end. An inwardly extending ring 208 surrounds the recess 204 atits outlet to form an inwardly stepped shoulder 210.

The socket 200 receives a plug 212 having a generally cylindrical sleeve214 surrounding an axial fluid passage 216. A plurality of retainingfingers 218 are pivotally mounted on the sleeve 214 by mounting means220. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the mounting means includea ring of elastomeric material 222 extending between the retainingfingers 218 and sleeve 214. Although the elastomeric material 222 isbonded to both the retaining fingers 218 and sleeve 214, an outwardlyextending ring 224 is formed on the sleeve 214 and a circumferential lip226 extends inwardly from the fingers 218 to strengthen theinterconnection between the elastomeric material 222 and the sleeve 214and fingers 218. Each of the retaining fingers terminates in arespective locking tab 230 that fits over and is retained by the steppedshoulder 210 of the socket 200 when the plug 212 is inserted into thesocket 200. A pair of axially spaced annular rings 232,234 projectoutwardly from the sleeve 214. The upper ring 232 is spaced from theinner surfaces of the locking fingers 218 by a distance that is at leastequal to the overlap of the retaining tab 230 on the stepped shoulder210. As a result, the retaining fingers 218 are free to bend inwardlyresponsive to axial movement of the plug 212 to allow the retaining tabs230 to clear the shoulder 210 in order to remove the plug 212 from thesocket 200. However, if the plug 212 pivots responsive to a transverseforce, the actuating ring 232 moves transversely to contact the innersurface of at least one retaining finger 218 to prevent its respectiveretaining tab 230 from moving inwardly to clear the stepped shoulder210. The actuating ring 232 thus prevents the plug 212 from beingremoved from the socket 200.

While the embodiment of FIG. 9 utilizes a second annular ring 234 tocause the retaining fingers 218 to bend between the ring 234 and thetabs 230, it will be understood that they may be eliminated in the eventthat the mounting means 220 is capable of imparting a sufficientoutwardly directed force to the retaining fingers 218. An example of anembodiment utilizing a single annular ring is illustrated in FIG. 10. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 10, the socket 200 is identical to the socket 200of FIG. 9 with the exception that it does not include a gasket 206.Thus, both sockets have been designated with the same reference numeralswhere applicable. The embodiment of FIG. 10 utilizes a plug 240 having asleeve 242 with an annular fluid passage 244 and an outwardly extendingannular actuating ring 246 at its distal end. A plurality of retainingfingers 248 are mounted on the sleeve 242 by mounting means 250. Each ofthe retaining fingers 248 terminates in a respective retaining tab 252that fits over and is captured by the inwardly step shoulder 210 formedby the inwardly extending ring 208 of the socket 200.

The mounting means 250 used to pivotally secure the retaining fingers248 to the sleeve 242 include a pair of axially spaced rings 254, 256extending around the circumference of the sleeve 242, and acircumferential ring 258 extending inwardly from the retaining fingers248 between the two rings 254, 256. A resilient O-ring 260 is positionedbetween the inwardly extending ring 258 from the fingers 248 and thering 254 extending outwardly from the sleeve 242. The O-ring 260provides two functions. First, it permits the sleeve 242 to pivot withinthe retaining fingers 248, and it also acts as a seal to prevent fluidfrom escaping from the recess 204. An annular gasket 262, retained byoutward projections 264 from the fingers 248, also prevents the fluidfrom escaping from the recess 204.

In operation, the plug 240 may be removed from the socket 200 by pullingthe plug 240 axially of the socket 200. The retaining fingers 248 thenbend inwardly to release the retaining tabs 252 from the inwardly stepshoulder 210 of the socket 200. In the event that the sleeve 242 pivotsresponsive to transverse forces, the actuating ring 246 contacts atleast one of the retaining fingers 248 to prevent its respectiveretaining tab 252 from clearing the shoulder 210, thereby preventing theplug 240 from being removed from the socket 200.

A final embodiment of the inventive fluid coupling is illustrated inFIG. 11. The embodiment of FIG. 11 is substantially similar to theembodiment of FIG. 10 except that it includes a second set of retainingfingers, a second actuating ring and a second inwardly stepped shoulderto capture the second set of retaining fingers. The socket 270 has anaxial fluid passage 272 and a generally cylindrical recess 274surrounded by two axially spaced, inwardly projecting rings 276, 278forming respective inwardly stepped shoulders 280, 282. A plug 290includes a cylindrical sleeve 292 having an axial fluid passage 294 andtwo sets of retaining fingers 296, 298 connected to the sleeve 292through a common mounting structure 300. The retaining fingers 296, 298terminate in respective retaining tabs 302, 304 that are captured behindrespective stepped shoulders 280, 282 formed in the socket 270. A pairof annular actuating rings 310, 312 are formed on the sleeve 292adjacent each set of retaining tabs 302, 304, respectively. Acylindrical gasket 314 surrounds the sleeve 292 between the actuatingring 312 and an outwardly extending ring 316 to prevent fluid fromescaping from the recess 274.

In operation, the plug 290 may be withdrawn from the socket 270 bypulling the plug 290 axially, thereby allowing the retaining fingers296, 298 to deflect inwardly so that their respective tabs 302, 304clear the stepped shoulders 280, 282, respectively. However, pivotalmovement of the sleeve 292 responsive to transverse forces applied tothe plug 290 cause the actuating rings 310, 312 to move transversely inopposite directions to contact the inner surfaces of at least oneretaining finger 296, 298 of each set, thereby preventing the respectiveretaining tabs 302, 304 from clearing the stepped shoulders 280, 282,respectively.

It is thus seen that the inventive quick disconnect fluid coupling isrelatively simple, light in weight and easy to use, yet preventstransverse forces exerted on the connector from inadvertentlydisconnecting the fluid coupling.

I claim:
 1. A quick disconnect fluid coupling, comprising:a sockethaving a generally cylindrical recess with a fluid opening at its distalend; a plug fitting into the proximal end of the recess of said socket,said plug having a fluid opening at its end communicating with the fluidopening of said socket; releasable retaining means securing said plugwithin said socket, said retaining means being engaged and disengaged byaxial forces applied between said plug and socket in oppositedirections, respectively, said retaining means allowing said plug topivot in said socket about said retaining means; and locking meansaxially spaced from said retaining means, said locking means preventingdisengagement of said plug from said socket by preventing axial movementbetween said plug and socket when said locking means is engaged, saidlocking means being engaged by pivotal movement of said plug within saidsocket resulting from transverse forces applied to said plug.
 2. Thefluid coupling of claim 1, further including a gasket positioned againstthe distal end of said recess and surrounding the fluid opening in saidsocket, the end of said plug compressively contacting said gasket whensaid plug is inserted into said socket whereby said gasket seals theinterconnection between said plug and socket.
 3. The fluid coupling ofclaim 1 wherein said locking means comprise:an outwardly projecting,circumferential ring mounted on said plug at a location axially spacedfrom said retaining means; and a locking member mounted in said socket,said locking member projecting into said recess at a location that isaxially spaced from the distal end of said recess by a distance that isslightly greater than the distance that said ring is spaced from thedistal end of said recess when said plug is inserted into said socket,said locking member having a minimum inside diameter that is slightlylarger than the outside diameter of said ring whereby pivotal movementof said plug within said socket about said retaining means causes saidring to move transversely so that said ring is captured behind saidlocking member, thereby preventing axial movement between said plug andsocket.
 4. The fluid coupling of claim 3, further including a secondoutwardly projecting, circumferential ring mounted on said plug at alocation axially spaced from said retaining means away from said firstcircumferential ring; anda second locking member mounted in said socket,said second locking member projecting into said recess at a locationthat is axially spaced from the distal end of said recess by a distancethat is slightly greater than the distance that said second ring isspaced from the distal end of said recess when said plug is insertedinto said socket, said second locking member having a minimum insidediameter that is slightly larger than the outside diameter of saidsecond ring whereby pivotal movement of said plug within said socketcauses said first and second rings to move transversely in oppositedirections so that said first and second rings are captured behind saidfirst and second locking members, respectively.
 5. The fluid coupling ofclaim 3 wherein said locking member includes a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced pins projecting inwardly into said recesswhereby pivotal movement of said plug causes said ring to be capturedbehind at least one of said pins.
 6. The fluid coupling of claim 3wherein said locking member includes an inwardly stepped shoulder formedin said socket and surrounding said recess whereby pivotal movement ofsaid plug causes said ring to be captured behind said shoulder.
 7. Thefluid coupling of claim 6 wherein the outer surface of said resilientring is tapered inwardly away from the distal end of said plug so thatsaid ring exerts an axial force on said plug toward the distal end ofthe recess formed in said socket.
 8. The fluid coupling of claim 1wherein said retaining means comprise:a resilient circumferential ringsurrounding said plug; and an inwardly projecting shoulder formed insaid socket around said recess, said shoulder tightly surrounding saidring when said plug is inserted into said socket.
 9. The fluid couplingof claim 1 wherein said retaining means comprise:an annular grooveformed in said socket and surrounding the recess formed in said socket;and a plurality of circumferentially spaced ball bearings mounted onsaid plug and positioned adjacent said annular groove when said plug isinserted into said socket, said ball bearings being resiliently biasedoutwardly away from said plug and sized to fit into the annular groovesurrounding said recess whereby the outward force exerted on said ballbearings biases them into said groove to releasably retain said plug insaid socket.
 10. The fluid coupling of claim 9, further including asecond annular groove formed in said socket axially spaced from saidfirst annular groove and a second plurality of circumferentially spacedball bearings mounted on said plug and positioned adjacent said secondannular groove when said plug is inserted into said socket, said secondset of ball bearings being resiliently biased outwardly away from saidplug and sized to fit into the second annular groove surrounding saidrecess.
 11. The fluid coupling of claim 1 wherein said retaining meanscomprise:a plurality of ball bearings mounted in said socket within saidrecess, said ball bearings being circumferentially spaced from eachother and resiliently biased inwardly toward the center of said recess;and a circumferential groove formed in said plug at a locationpositioned adjacent said ball bearings when said plug is inserted intosaid socket, said groove being sized to receive said ball bearingswhereby the inward force exerted on said ball bearings biases them intosaid groove to releasably retain said plug in said socket.
 12. The fluidcoupling of claim 11, further including a second plurality of ballbearings mounted in said socket at a location in said recess that isaxially spaced from said first plurality of ball bearings, said secondplurality of ball bearings being circumferentially spaced from eachother and resiliently biased inwardly toward the center of said recess;anda second circumferential groove formed in said plug at a locationpositioned adjacent said second plurality of ball bearings when saidplug is inserted into said socket, said second groove being sized toreceive said second plurality of ball bearings.
 13. The fluid couplingof claim 1, further including second locking means axially spaced fromsaid retaining means away from said first locking means, said secondlocking means being engaged by pivotal movement of said plug within saidsocket.
 14. The fluid coupling of claim 1 wherein at least a portion ofsaid recess and the portion of said retaining means that is carried bysaid socket are formed in a spherical ball that is slidably mounted insaid socket in order to allow said plug to freely pivot within saidsocket.
 15. The fluid coupling of claim 14 wherein said locking meanscomprise:an outwardly projecting circumferential ring mounted on saidplug at a location axially spaced from said retaining means; and alocking member mounted in said socket, said locking member projectinginto said recess at a location that is axially spaced from the distalend of said recess by a distance that is slightly greater than thedistance that said ring is spaced from the distal end of said recesswhen said plug is inserted into said socket, said locking member havinga minimum inside diameter that is slightly larger than the outsidediameter of said ring whereby pivotal movement of said plug within saidsocket about said retaining means causes said ring to move transverselyso that said ring is captured behind said locking member, therebypreventing axial movement between said plug and socket.
 16. The fluidcoupling of claim 14 wherein said locking means comprise a lockingmember mounted on said plug, said locking member being positionedoutside of said partial spherical recess when said plug is aligned withsaid socket and positioned inside said partial spherical recess whensaid plug is pivoted out of alignment with said socket, therebyretaining said plug within said socket.